Kinetic energy behind national rebrand
New Zealand’s largest bus network is bringing new energy and a fresh look to its operations nationally after announcing a transformative strategy to rebrand its NZ Bus and metro Go Bus businesses as Kinetic.
Kinetic is Australia and NZ’s largest and most progressive bus company, with a team of 7400 dedicated people and 5000 buses providing contracted bus services as well as private charter bus services across major cities and regional communities.
The transport company has driven significant progress and development across the region over the last four years through acquisitive growth and winning new contracts to deliver bus services that are safe, reliable and more environmentally sustainable.
Last year Kinetic completed the transformation of its Australian business through a brand and quality management platform that allowed the company to focus on delivering world-class bus services consistently everywhere it operates.
NZ Bus and Go Bus, which provide contracted urban bus services with leading councils, will soon follow suit, adopting the Kinetic brand across workplaces, fleet and uniforms where appropriate.
All operations in Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga now reflect the Kinetic brand with Hamilton and Christchurch commencing their rebranding this month.
Once complete, Kinetic will operate government-contracted bus services in key Australasian cities including Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Hobart and Perth.
The Go Bus brand will be retained in regional NZ areas where it continues to provide leading urban, charter and contracted school bus services in partnership with the Ministry of Education.
Kinetic’s Managing Director of New Zealand Calum Haslop said the team was excited about the transformation.
“NZ Bus and Go Bus are New Zealand’s leading bus companies—and there’s so much to gain bringing our urban operations together,” he says.
“We’re unifying and strengthening our leadership on the decarbonisation of public transport and our teams are doing an amazing job working with our partners on this exciting journey.”
“Fundamentally, this is about enticing more people out of cars and onto public transport and lessening the ecological footprint of travel choices.”
By 2035, Kinetic is targeting a 100 per cent zero emission urban bus fleet. In the last three years the company has introduced close to 200 electric buses onto streets in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch.
“Every month we’re growing our knowledge of implementing zero emission buses and infrastructure and supporting government and councils on their journey towards zero emission targets.”
Two recent milestones have included launching Australasia’s largest all-electric bus depot in East Auckland in January, with 35 buses, and in September a bigger one with 44 buses in West Auckland, growing to 86 early in 2024.
In a traditionally male-dominated industry, Kinetic is also taking deliberate steps to achieve 50 per cent representation of women across its workforce by 2030. Kinetic is also a proud LGBTQI+ ally as it embraces diversity and allyship.
“Achieving gender equity won’t be easy, but this is our obligation and we’re deeply committed to it. This is one of our greatest opportunities to benefit from broader perspectives, new ideas and reduced bias, with positive ripple effects into the wider community,” he says.
Kinetic’s mission is to improve the livelihoods of the communities in which we live and operate.
“If we keep going in the same direction, we are headed for a future marked by environmental breakdown and widening inequality. It’s a reality we refuse to accept—and sustainability must be at the heart of everything we do.”
Kinetic is also the majority owner of Go-Ahead, with a bus and rail network spanning the UK, Europe & Asia.
Further enquiries
Russell Turnbull
+64 21 797 314
russell.turnbull@wearekinetic.co.nz